NUM is deeply concerned about the continuing trend of mineworkers being trapped underground.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is extremely concerned about the continuing trend of mineworkers being trapped underground in the mining industry in South Africa. We are also worried about the number of fatalities that are increasing in the mining industry.

More than 100 mineworkers are trapped underground at Lilly Mine in Barberton, Mpumalanga.

"We are very concerned about the continuing trend of workers being trapped underground in the mining industry. We call on employers to come out of their comfort zone and take the issue of health and safety seriously," said Erick Gcilitshana, NUM Health and Safety Secretary.

"It is unacceptable that mineworkers are denied their basic human right to work in an environment that guarantees their safety and that instead they are expected to go to work to die. We are selling our labour for the survival of our families, not our limbs and lives," Gcilitshana added

We call upon the mining companies to invest more money in protecting the lives of workers than focusing more on profits. Mineworkers cannot be sacrificed for profits. We also call on mineworkers to refuse to work in dangerous conditions.

We call upon the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to trigger its investigation to the cause of this incident and as the NUM, we will participate in the investigation to leave no stone unturned. Those found responsible for negligence must be prosecuted.

We call on the DMR inspectorate, and Minister Mosebenzi Zwane to hold the mining industry fully accountable for its failures and adopt a no-nonsense approach when it comes to injuries and fatalities in the mining industry.